Vehicle decorative components

Abstract

To prevent entry of foreign objects from a gap.SOLUTION: A vehicle decorative member 10 includes: a first panel 12; and a second panel 14 connected to an end of the first panel 12. The second panel 14 includes a wall part 28 which is arranged facing a gap 60 between the second panel 14 and the end of the first panel 12. The first panel 12 has: multiple integral hinges 16 which are arranged spaced apart from each other; and connection parts 18 connected to the integral hinges 16. The connection part 18 of the first panel 12 is connected to an end of the second panel 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a decorative member for a vehicle, which is used, for example, for the exterior or interior decoration of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A side mudguard, which is an injection-molded resin product, is attached to the lower part of a door in a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The side mudguard of Patent Document 1 is configured to be foldable with an integral hinge having a reduced plate thickness, making it easy to attach to a door panel.

[0003] When injecting and molding the side mudguard, since the cavity becomes narrow at the part that becomes an integral hinge, it becomes difficult for the resin to flow. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed to provide a hole for dividing the integral hinge and set an injection molding gate at a position corresponding to the edge of the hole in the mold.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] If there is a hole penetrating the side mudguard as in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that foreign substances such as water may enter from the hole to the inside.

[0006] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention has been proposed to preferably solve these problems, and an object thereof is to provide a decorative member for a vehicle that can prevent the intrusion of foreign substances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the decorative member for a vehicle according to the present invention is A vehicle decorative member comprising a first panel and a second panel connected to the end of the first panel, The gist of this is that the second panel has a wall portion positioned opposite to the gap between it and the end of the first panel.

[0008] One embodiment of a vehicle decorative member according to the present invention, in addition to the above, The first panel is, The end of the first panel has a plurality of integral hinges arranged in series with space between them, It comprises a connecting portion that is connected to the integral hinge and connected to the second panel, There may be a gap between adjacent integral hinges.

[0009] One embodiment of a vehicle decorative member according to the present invention, in addition to the above, The wall portion may have a lateral wall piece that extends toward the gap from the side edge of the vertical wall protruding from the second panel.

[0010] One embodiment of a vehicle decorative member according to the present invention, in addition to the above, The wall portion may have an overhanging piece that extends toward the gap from a vertical wall protruding from the second panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the vehicle decorative member of the present invention, the wall portion can prevent foreign matter from entering. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an end view showing a vehicle decorative member according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a door panel. Note that the view is cut at the connection point. [Figure 2] This is an end view showing the vehicle decorative member of the embodiment attached to a door panel. It is cut between adjacent integral hinges. [Figure 3]It is a rear view showing the first panel of the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an end view cut along the X1-X1 line in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is an end view cut along the X2-X2 line in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory view showing a method of manufacturing the first panel of the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a rear view showing the second panel of the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is an end view cut along the Y1-Y1 line in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is an end view cut along the Y2-Y2 line in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory view showing the assembly of the vehicle decorative member of the embodiment. [Figure 11] (a) is an explanatory view showing an end portion connecting to the second panel in the first panel, and (b) is an explanatory view showing a connecting portion between the first panel and the second panel in the vehicle decorative member. Note that (a) and (b) are views looking at the back surface of the first panel from the second panel side. [Figure 12] It is an end view showing the vehicle decorative member of the reference example. Note that (a) is cut at the position of the connecting portion, and (b) is cut between adjacent integral hinges. [Figure 13] It is a side view showing a vehicle to which the vehicle decorative member is attached.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Next, the vehicle decorative member according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments. Note that the vehicle decorative member of the embodiment exemplifies a side mudguard attached to the lower part of the side surface of the vehicle.

Embodiment

[0014] As shown in Figure 13, the vehicle decorative member 10 is attached to the lower side of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle decorative member 10 of the embodiment is positioned at the bottom of the vehicle door 50. The vehicle decorative member 10 comprises a first panel 12 and a second panel 14. In the vehicle decorative member 10, the second panel 14 is connected to the end of the first panel 12. In the embodiment, the first panel 12 is an inner panel positioned on the interior side of the vehicle. The second panel 14 is an outer panel positioned on the exterior side of the vehicle. In the first panel 12 and the second panel 14, the surface that constitutes the interior or exterior outer surface of the door 50 is called the front, and the surface that faces inward towards the door 50 is called the back.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first panel 12 includes an integral hinge 16 and a connecting portion 18 connected to the integral hinge 16. The integral hinge 16 and the connecting portion 18 are provided at the end of the first panel 12 that connects to the second panel 14. The connecting portion 18 is connected to the main body portion 20 of the first panel 12 via the integral hinge 16. In the first panel 12, the surface of the main body portion 20 is exposed to the vehicle interior side, forming the interior design of the door 50. The first panel 12 is a resin injection molded product in which the integral hinge 16, the connecting portion 18, and the main body portion 20 are integrally formed.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, multiple integral hinges 16 are provided at intervals from each other at the end of the first panel 12. In this embodiment, the multiple integral hinges 16 are arranged in series. The integral hinges 16 are made bendable by making them thinner than the general parts such as the main body 20 through recesses such as a V-shape (in this embodiment) or an arc shape. As shown in Figure 4, the first panel 12 can change the orientation of the connection portion 18 relative to the main body 20 in the front-to-back direction, using the integral hinges 16 as pivot points. The first panel 12 is attached to the door panel 52 of the door 50 in an orientation where the connection portion 18 is bent relative to the main body 20 (attachment orientation). When molding the first panel 12, it is easy to mold because it can be manufactured in an appropriate orientation different from the aforementioned attachment orientation, such as an orientation where the main body 20 and the connection portion 18 are aligned in a straight line (see dotted line in Figure 6).

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the ends of the main body portion 20 (referred to as the resin injection portion 22 when specifically distinguished) are positioned between adjacent integral hinges 16. As shown in Figure 6, when the first panel 12 is molded, a gate 44 is positioned in the cavity 42 of the mold 40 at a location corresponding to the resin injection portion 22. In this embodiment, the resin injection portion 22 is formed with a smaller protrusion dimension from the main body portion 20 than the connection portion 18. Also, the resin injection portion 22 is bent relative to the main body portion 20 at an angle approximately equal to the mounting position of the connection portion 18 (see Figure 5). A groove portion 24 that cuts into the main body portion 20 is provided at the end of the integral hinge 16 (see Figure 3). The presence of the groove portion 24 between the integral hinge 16 and the resin injection portion 22 ensures a degree of freedom in the shape of the connection portion 18 and the resin injection portion 22.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting portion 18 is the part that connects the first panel 12 to the end of the second panel 14. The connecting portion 18 is connected to one integral hinge 16. The tip side of the connecting portion 18 is narrower than the base side that connects to the integral hinge 16. For example, the tip side of the connecting portion 18 can be made narrower by making the side edge of the connecting portion 18 recessed at the tip side compared to the base side that connects to the integral hinge 16 (as in the embodiment), or by making it sloped from the base side to the tip side. It is preferable that the distance between the tips of adjacent connecting portions 18 is wider than the distance between adjacent integral hinges 16.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first panel 12 is provided with a first mounting portion 26 used for attachment to the door panel 52. The first mounting portion 26 is located on the back side of the main body portion 20.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, one end of the second panel 14 is connected to the connection portion 18 of the first panel 12. As shown in Figure 2, the second panel 14 has a wall portion 28 positioned opposite the gap 60 between it and the end of the first panel 12. Here, the gap 60 is formed in the part of the end of the first panel 12 where an integral hinge 16 is not provided, specifically, the gap 60 is formed between adjacent integral hinges 16 (see Figure 11).

[0021] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the wall portion 28 is provided on the back side of the second panel 14. As shown in Figure 11, the wall portion 28 is positioned so as not to overlap with the connection portion 18 at the end of the second panel 14, specifically, the wall portion 28 is positioned corresponding to the space between adjacent connection portions 18. The wall portion 28 is preferably formed to be wider than the distance between adjacent integral hinges 16, thereby making the wall portion 28 wider than the gap 60 (see Figure 11).

[0022] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the wall portion 28 has a lateral wall piece 28b that extends toward the gap 60 from the side edge of the vertical wall 28a that protrudes from the second panel 14. The wall portion 28 also has an overhang piece 28c that extends toward the gap 60 from the vertical wall 28a that protrudes from the second panel 14. In this embodiment, the overhang piece 28c is provided on the upper edge of the vertical wall 28a. The wall portion 28 in this embodiment is formed in a box shape that opens toward the first panel.

[0023] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second panel 14 is provided with a second mounting portion 30 used for attachment to the door panel 52.

[0024] The molding of the first panel 12 will now be described. As shown in Figure 6, a gate 44 is set in the cavity 42 of the mold 40 at a position corresponding to the resin injection section 22 of the first panel 12. The resin injection section 22 is the end of the main body 20 that is formed between integral hinges 16 that are spaced apart from each other. When resin is injected from the gate 44, the resin can flow directly to the part of the cavity 42 corresponding to the main body 20 without passing through the part of the cavity 42 corresponding to the integral hinges 16, which is a constricted part of the cavity 42. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of appearance defects such as sink marks, uneven gloss, and flash on the main body 20, as well as the generation of burrs caused by excessive resin pressure. Therefore, the quality of the main body 20 that constitutes the design of the door 50 in the first panel 12 can be improved. In addition, the resin flows from the part of the cavity 42 corresponding to the main body 20, through the part corresponding to the integral hinges 16, to the part corresponding to the connection section 18. Here, even if an appearance defect occurs at the connection section 18, it can be hidden by the second panel 14. Furthermore, even if gate marks remain in the resin injection section 22, these gate marks can be hidden by the second panel 14. Moreover, according to the first panel 12, even if the integral hinge 16 is formed thinly, it does not affect the fluidity of the resin in the main body 20, making it easier to change the posture using the integral hinge 16.

[0025] As shown in Figures 10 and 11(b), the vehicle decorative member 10 is connected by overlapping the connection portion 18 of the first panel 12 with one end of the second panel 14. The method of connecting the first panel 12 and the second panel 14 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the connection portion 18 and the second panel 14 are joined by crushing rivets that are passed through holes formed in the connection portion 18 and holes formed in one end of the second panel 14. In this embodiment, the vehicle decorative member 10 has the second panel 14 overlapping the underside (front side) of the resin injection portion 22, and the gate marks on the surface of the resin injection portion 22 are hidden by the second panel 14.

[0026] When attaching the vehicle decorative member 10 to the door panel 52, for example, a fastener such as a clip attached to the second mounting portion 30 of the second panel 14 is attached to the outside of the door panel 52 (see Figure 10(b)). At this time, the installation work can be made easier by opening the first panel 12 so that it is separated from the second panel 14. Next, the main body portion 20 of the first panel 12 is bent at the integral hinge 16 and positioned along the inside of the door panel 52. Then, a fastener such as a clip attached to the first mounting portion 26 of the first panel 12 is attached to the inside of the door panel 52 (see Figure 10(c)). In this way, the vehicle decorative member 10 can change the orientation of the main body portion 20 of the first panel 12 and the second panel 14, making it easy to attach to the door panel 52.

[0027] As mentioned above, the vehicle decorative member 10 has multiple integral hinges 16 provided at intervals, so a gap 60 is created when the first panel 12 and the second panel 14 are connected. In a vehicle decorative member 10 that is constructed by connecting multiple panels 12 and 14 in this way, a gap 60 may be created between the panels 12 and 14. The vehicle decorative member 10 is provided with a wall portion 28 on the second panel 14 that is positioned opposite the gap 60 between the first panel 12 and the second panel 14. The vehicle decorative member 10 can prevent foreign matter such as water from entering through the gap 60 by the wall portion 28.

[0028] Since the integral hinges 16 that connect the main body 20 and the connecting part 18 are arranged at intervals from each other at the ends of the first panel 12, the main body 20 can be molded by injecting resin from positions corresponding to the ends of the main body 20 between the integral hinges 16. This improves the appearance of the main body 20 of the first panel 12. Furthermore, when the first panel 12 and the second panel 14 are connected, a gap 60 is created between adjacent integral hinges 16, but the wall portion 28 of the second panel 14 is positioned opposite the gap 60. Therefore, the wall portion 28 can prevent foreign matter such as water from entering through the gap 60.

[0029] The wall portion 28 has a lateral wall piece 28b that protrudes toward the gap 60 from the side edge of the vertical wall 28a that protrudes from the second panel 14. The lateral wall piece 28b prevents foreign objects from entering the inside by going around the side of the wall portion 28.

[0030] The wall portion 28 has a canopy piece 28c that extends toward the gap 60 from the vertical wall 28a that protrudes from the second panel 14. The canopy piece 28c prevents foreign objects from entering the inside by going over the wall portion 28.

[0031] (Example of change) In addition to the matters mentioned above, the following may also be applied, for example. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the specific descriptions of the examples and the following modifications. (1) Vehicle decorative components are not limited to side mudguards, but may also include, for example, rocker moldings or other components. (2) Vehicle decorative members are not limited to members that constitute the interior and exterior of a vehicle, but may also be interior members that constitute the interior of a vehicle, or exterior members that constitute the exterior of a vehicle. (3) The wall portion is not limited to the shape of the embodiment; for example, at least one of the side wall piece and the eaves piece may be omitted. Alternatively, the wall portion may consist only of a vertical wall.

[0032] This disclosure includes the following information, as shown in Figure 12, for example: A vehicle decorative member comprising a first panel and a second panel connected to the end of the first panel, The first panel is, The end of the first panel has a plurality of integral hinges arranged in series with space between them, A decorative member for a vehicle, comprising a connecting portion provided connected to the integral hinge and connected to the second panel. The above configuration omits the wall section described in the embodiment. In Figure 12, the same reference numerals are used for components with the same names as in the embodiment. According to the above, a vehicle decorative component with a high-quality first panel can be provided.

[0033] This disclosure includes the following: A decorative panel for a vehicle (the second panel above) used in connection with a design panel (the first panel above), A decorative panel having a wall portion that, when connected to the aforementioned design panel, is positioned opposite to the gap in the design panel. Based on the above, the wall section can prevent foreign substances such as water from entering through gaps. The wall portion described above can be configured as described in the examples and modifications, and may have a lateral wall piece that extends toward the gap from the side edge of the vertical wall protruding from the decorative panel, or it may have an overhang piece that extends toward the gap from the vertical wall protruding from the decorative panel. By having at least one of the lateral wall piece and the overhang piece in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign objects to penetrate beyond the wall portion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 10 Vehicle decorative components, 12 First panel, 14 Second panel, 16 integral hinge, 18 connection part, 28 wall part, 28a vertical wall, 28b side wall piece, 28c eave piece

Claims

1. A vehicle decorative member comprising a first panel and a second panel connected to the end of the first panel, The second panel includes a wall portion positioned opposite to the gap between it and the end of the first panel, The first panel is: The end of the first panel has a plurality of integral hinges arranged in series with space between them, It comprises a connecting portion that is connected to the integral hinge and connected to the second panel, There is a gap between adjacent integral hinges. A vehicle decorative component characterized by the following features.

2. The vehicle decorative member according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion is formed to be wider than the distance between adjacent integral hinges.

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